Former Minister for Local Government; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Youth

Our State Budget 2015-16: Protecting and supporting our community - Seniors can travel free at night on buses, trains

17/05/2015 12:00 AM

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State Government to expand free off-peak travel for seniors, aged and disability support pensioners and carer payment recipients

Free from 9am to 3.30pm weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays

From July 1, 2015 Western Australian Senior Card holders, pensioners and carers will have free travel after 7pm every night and before 6am each weekday morning.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder announced that free travel for seniors, aged/disability pensioners and carers would be extended from the existing entitlement - free travel weekdays from 9am to 3.30pm and all day weekends - to include free travel after 7pm and before 6am every day.

The State Budget initiative means an expected 145,000 trips a year will be free for eligible passengers.

"We want to encourage as many people as possible to use our public transport - our buses, trains and ferries," Mr Nalder said.

Mr Nalder said the State Government implemented free off-peak travel for seniors, aged and disability support pensioners in 2009, extended free travel to carers in 2013, and was now pleased to support seniors with expanded free hours.

Passengers must use their SmartRider to access the free travel.

Welcoming the move, Seniors and Volunteering Minister Tony Simpson said allowing free off-peak travel gave seniors and carers a chance to stay involved in the community.

"This represents an important benefit for thousands of people with a limited income and for those who provide vital help to others who are unable to independently support themselves," Mr Simpson said.

"Perth is coming alive at night and this expansion of their free off-peak travel entitlements will mean they can get more involved with the community."

Free off-peak travel can also be accessed by passengers on regional town bus services including Port Hedland, Broome, Carnarvon, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Geraldton, Bunbury, Busselton, and Albany.

Fact File

From 2009 to March 2015, free off-peak travel has generated 48.4 million free boardings, representing a total saving of more than $32 million for eligible travellers